Lafourche sheriff head of national organization

Raymond LegendreStaff Writer

Published: Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 11:31 p.m.

THIBODAUX -- His new position as president of the National Sheriff’s Association allows him to initiate change on a scale most sheriffs could only dream about. Yet, Lafourche Sheriff Craig Webre said his primary focus is still on the issues that effect people of his home parish.

Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti swore in Webre in a ceremony held last week in Salt Lake City, Utah. Webre’s ascension to the presidency marks the end of a six-year progression. He began as the national organization’s sergeant-in-arms, progressing to vice-president positions the past five years.

Webre, 45, is now the association’s youngest president ever. His term lasts one year.

Webre returned to Lafourche Friday to resume his duties as the parish’s sheriff. He described returning to Lafourche as a "good grounding experience."

"First and foremost, my obligation is to the people of Lafourche Parish," Webre said. "The presidency is second. I can always say no. The fact is I am not obligated by the presidency, but I am obligated by the parish."

However, Webre is expected to attend the mid-winter meeting in January in New Orleans and the national meeting next June in Indianapolis.

Webre said his new role as president provides him with opportunities to work for change on national issues that impact local people, such as disaster response.

"If Katrina showed us one thing," the sheriff said, "it was that the ability to bring in resources and manpower after the storm was broken."

He plans to push for widespread acceptance for SMART, or the Sheriff’s Mutual Aid Response Team. The program is designed to allow rescue personnel to quickly mobilize and allow access to disaster areas.

Webre said issues such as liability, reimbursement and appropriate credentials were things that need to be worked out to make the program a success.

"I’m not naïve enough to say it’s a 12-month accomplishment," he added. "But I do believe, in 12 months, we can set up a system and a process to work toward that goal."

Webre said he also believes he can dispel myths about Louisiana police officers during his presidency.

"This gives us an opportunity to cast a positive light on, not only our state, but local law-enforcement of our state," he said, adding that he wants to show the nation that Louisiana can compete with other states.

One way of doing that is applying for grants, something Lafourche Parish has done often since Webre became sheriff in 1992. Webre said his presidency would allow him face-to-face time with people who pay for new law-enforcement initiatives. The sheriff cited Lafourche Parish’s cops in schools,

"People tend to offer those things to known entities," the sheriff said, adding, "The person who locks himself in his office and fools himself into thinking the outside world doesn’t matter will get left behind."

The same can essentially be said for the person who relentlessly watches the outside world and never pays his home any mind.

"It’s a symbiotic relationship," Webre said, adding that his education and work experience have both come from Lafourche Parish.

<p>THIBODAUX -- His new position as president of the National Sheriff’s Association allows him to initiate change on a scale most sheriffs could only dream about. Yet, Lafourche Sheriff Craig Webre said his primary focus is still on the issues that effect people of his home parish.</p><p>Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti swore in Webre in a ceremony held last week in Salt Lake City, Utah. Webre’s ascension to the presidency marks the end of a six-year progression. He began as the national organization’s sergeant-in-arms, progressing to vice-president positions the past five years.</p><p>Webre, 45, is now the association’s youngest president ever. His term lasts one year.</p><p>Webre returned to Lafourche Friday to resume his duties as the parish’s sheriff. He described returning to Lafourche as a "good grounding experience."</p><p>"First and foremost, my obligation is to the people of Lafourche Parish," Webre said. "The presidency is second. I can always say no. The fact is I am not obligated by the presidency, but I am obligated by the parish."</p><p>However, Webre is expected to attend the mid-winter meeting in January in New Orleans and the national meeting next June in Indianapolis.</p><p>Webre said his new role as president provides him with opportunities to work for change on national issues that impact local people, such as disaster response.</p><p>"If Katrina showed us one thing," the sheriff said, "it was that the ability to bring in resources and manpower after the storm was broken."</p><p>He plans to push for widespread acceptance for SMART, or the Sheriff’s Mutual Aid Response Team. The program is designed to allow rescue personnel to quickly mobilize and allow access to disaster areas.</p><p>Webre said issues such as liability, reimbursement and appropriate credentials were things that need to be worked out to make the program a success.</p><p>"I’m not naïve enough to say it’s a 12-month accomplishment," he added. "But I do believe, in 12 months, we can set up a system and a process to work toward that goal."</p><p>Webre said he also believes he can dispel myths about Louisiana police officers during his presidency.</p><p>"This gives us an opportunity to cast a positive light on, not only our state, but local law-enforcement of our state," he said, adding that he wants to show the nation that Louisiana can compete with other states.</p><p>One way of doing that is applying for grants, something Lafourche Parish has done often since Webre became sheriff in 1992. Webre said his presidency would allow him face-to-face time with people who pay for new law-enforcement initiatives. The sheriff cited Lafourche Parish’s cops in schools,</p><p>"People tend to offer those things to known entities," the sheriff said, adding, "The person who locks himself in his office and fools himself into thinking the outside world doesn’t matter will get left behind."</p><p>The same can essentially be said for the person who relentlessly watches the outside world and never pays his home any mind.</p><p>"It’s a symbiotic relationship," Webre said, adding that his education and work experience have both come from Lafourche Parish.</p><p>Staff Writer Raymond Legendre can be reached at 448-7617.</p>